The liberal critics of Republicans want the GOP to behave itself and go back to the good old days best described by Eugene McCarthy’s quip that the chief purpose of moderate Republicans is to shoot the wounded after the battle is over. No thanks.

The "Battle of the Generals" is really no battle at all.

Venezuela's dictator Hugo Chávez was informed five years ago that his close ally Gen. Henry Rangel Silva – the man whom he recently named Defense Minister – is involved in cocaine smuggling.

America likely borrowed more than it cut in the amount of time the GOP leadership spent bragging about its "victory." The only good news to come from all of this is that the battle is now joined. The only question is whether the GOP's generals have the stomach for the fight.

Obama has grievously mishandled Syria, as he has an increasingly long list of other crisis spots. At the very least, the administration needs to recognize the false premises behind its mistakes.

India's big, new foreign policy idea is even worse that its last one. And that's saying something.

For Pakistan, founded as a homeland for all Indian Muslims, the Sunni-Shiite divide is an awkward subject that many would rather ignore. But the rest of the world needs to pay more attention to this conflict.

Along with replacing Secretary Gates, choosing a new chairman-the president's senior military adviser-will be among the most important decisions Obama will make. He needs the best advice, not his favorite advice.